A new home is a significant purchase, so you need to make sure that you choose the right property for your lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for a new home to accommodate your growing family or your first apartment to get yourself on the property ladder, you need to make sure you make the right choice.
There’s a lot to consider, including the location, storage space, size, and much more. One area that you can’t afford to overlook is the roof.
Big Bear Roofing understands the importance of your new home’s roof, as we’re one of the leading roofing contractors in the Greensboro, North Carolina region.
The quality of the roof on your new property could affect the price. If the roof needs repairing or has replacing soon, it could reduce the home’s value that you’re looking to purchase.
Also, the quality of the roof indicates how much work you’ll have to do to the property. If the roof is in excellent condition, then you won’t have to do much work initially.
However, a poorly kept roof might mean that you need to spend more time, effort, and money on roofing repairs. As such, you need to make sure you have valid information about the roof on every property that you consider buying.
If you’re buying a new home soon and want to know what you need to consider when checking out the roof, then read on, and we’ll explain.
Ask The Right Questions
During your initial viewing of the property, you should ask questions about the roof to check that it is in good condition. For example, you should ask when the current owner last had it replaced and how well they maintain their roof.
It would be best if you also asked about who repairs and checks the roof. If the homeowner does a lot of repairs themselves, they might not be quality roofing repairs, and the roof could need professional roofers’ attention in the future.
If they worked with an expert roofing contractor, like the Big Bear Roofing team, their roof would be top-quality. Our roofing specialists use only the best quality roofing products so that you can rest assured that the roof on your new home is safe and will last for many more years.
With the answers to these questions, you can better understand the roof’s state and how much work you’ll need to do if you choose to buy the property.
Check For Roof Leaks
Leaks are one of the most significant issues that you’ll face when maintaining your home’s roof, so make sure that you check that the property you’re viewing isn’t leaking through the roof.
There are many ways to check for a roofing leak, including:
- Look for damp patches on the ceiling.
- Listen for drips or flowing water in the property.
- Check the outside of the roof for missing tiles or damage.
If you notice anything suspicious, then ask for a second opinion. Your real estate surveyor can check the property thoroughly and give you their expert opinion.
Many issues could cause a roof leak, but it’s vital that you’re aware of them before you buy a new property and that any problems that can be fixed are before you take possession of the property.
Get The Property Surveyed
A reliable real estate surveyor can assess your potential new home and tell you about any serious issues it might have before you buy it.
Issues such as a damaged roof could reduce the property’s value, so they will be happy to discuss the roof and whether it is worth the money that the seller wants you to pay.
Make sure that you use an experienced real estate surveyor who has experience checking roofs to know that you’re in safe hands.
Review Any Potential Hazards
Hazards such as overhanging branches, poorly kept gutters, and animal habitats could cause future problems with your new property’s roof.
As such, you should check for any issues that could cause future issues. If they are easy to fix, then they might not be a problem. However, if they’re impossible to do anything about, then they could affect your choice to purchase the property.
Never Overlook Outbuildings
As well as the roof on the main property, you also need to check the roofs on any outbuildings that you might be purchasing.
These might include the garage, shed, outhouse, or garden building. Many smaller outbuildings in North Carolina have metal roofs, so you should ask the seller or real estate agency about them and whether they are in good condition.
Use the same tactics as we’ve advised you to use when checking the main property roof to assess the roofs’ suitability on any outbuildings you’re buying.
These techniques include checking for obvious leaks, asking your surveyor for their report on the roof’s state, and more.
Consult The Specialists
If in doubt, ask for advice from a local roofing specialist. The Big Bear Roofing team has worked on a wide range of roofing projects over the years, including roofs for garden buildings, houses of all sizes, and even commercial buildings.
As such, we know what you’re looking for when you check the roof on a new property. The Big Bear Roofing team can advise you on the roof’s state and the repairs it would need in the future.
We can also discuss whether you will need to pay for a full roof replacement in the coming years after buying the property. Based on this advice, you can make an informed decision and ensure that you don’t face any nasty roofing surprises after buying your new home.
If you’re interested in reading more about roofs and how you can assess and maintain them, then we offer a regularly updated roofing blog for North Carolina residents.
For more information on our services and how they can help you, both now and after you buy your new property, contact us today.